Horse Chestnut oil is excellent as a venous tonic when applied topically on the skin, it helps to prevent vein and capillary fragility. It also balances the circulation in the skin, thereby promoting not only a clear skin, but an even complexion and good skin tone, and is used in good quality cosmetics, hand creams, lotions, as well as slimming and cellulite products. Due to the saponins contained it has a potent anti-inflammatory effect on the skin.
Horse chestnut seed is an antioxidant; anti-inflammatory; anti-rheumatic; analgesic (pain killer), astringent (causes contraction of tissue, restraining discharges); tonic, vasoprotective (acts to alleviate certain conditions of the blood vessels often used for treating varicose veins and haemorrhoids), venous tonic (strengthens and invigorates the veins to promote normal tone in the walls of the veins, thereby improving circulation through the veins and promoting the return of blood to the heart)
It is also used for chest pain, chronic venous insufficiency, frostbite, improving connective tissue tone, leg ulcers, rheumatism, sprains and other injuries, swollen ankles, varicose veins, varicose eczema, venous stasis, heavy legs, cold feet.
Aescin, the saponin found in the seeds, has been shown to: promote circulation through the veins; foster normal tone in the walls of the veins, thereby promoting return of blood to the heart; possess anti-inflammatory properties; and to reduce oedema (swelling with fluid) following trauma, particularly following sports injury, surgery, and head injury. Topical aescin preparation is very popular in Europe for the treatment of acute sprains during sporting events.
Fluid accumulation is more common in the legs and far more likely in individuals who stand for extended periods of time. Prolonged standing and obesity can increase pressure within leg veins causing weak veins to swell, leak and deteriorate into varicose veins. Aescin performs an antioxidant function and has a general vasoprotective role by protecting collagen and elastin (the two chief proteins that form the structure of veins). By protecting these key vessel proteins, veins and capillaries stay strong and maintain their structural integrity when exposed to stress.
Typical addition to other oils to fortify them is as follows:-
Creams and Lotions: 4-12%
Body Oils: 10-30%
Whole Body Massage Oils: 10-20%
Varicose Vein Treatment Oils: 20-60% (For this purpose it blends well with Calendula Oil, Comfrey Oil and/or Arnica Oil)
Spider Vein Treatment Oils: 10-20%.
Varicose Veins
Especially good for varicose vein treatment products such as creams, gels, leg oils, etc. You can also use horse chestnut internally (tablets or tincture) to support the external treatment with the oil. Varicose veins are enlarged veins that can be flesh-coloured, dark purple or blue. They often look like cords and appear twisted and bulging. They are swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are commonly found on the backs of the calves or on the inside of the leg. They can cause serious health risks.
Spider Veins
Horse Chestnut Oil is excellent for treating spider veins also. Blend with thinner, drier oils such as rosehip and kiwi seed. You can also add vitamin K. Spider veins are similar to varicose veins, but they are smaller. They are often red or blue and are closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. They can look like tree branches or spider webs with their short jagged lines. Spider veins can be found on the legs and face. They can cover either a very small or very large area of skin. They do not usually pose serious health risks.
Swelling and Oedoma
Reduces vascular swelling and oedema e.g. swollen ankles (water retention), or sports injuries, post-surgery, etc. Use in combination with arnica oil.
Tired and Heavy Legs
Helps treat tired or heavy legs. Blend together with thistle oil and/or grapeseed oil to get the circulation moving.
Sports Massage Products
Excellent in all sports massage products for applying before and after sports. Blend together with comfrey, arnica, calendula and vitamin E oils. Horse Chestnut Seed Oil Recipes
